Which platforms offer RFQ Trading? (Request-for-Quote)

Discussion in 'Options' started by Quanto, Feb 4, 2024.

  1. Quanto

    Quanto

    If a strike is missing in the options chain table then it's said to ask the liquidity providers (MMs etc) for a quote for that missing strike by submitting a standardized RFQ message or order (Request-for-Quote).
    Which brokers/platforms offer such RFQ trading for stock and ETF options?
    Anybody here who has experience with such RFQ orders?
     
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2024
  2. Robert Morse

    Robert Morse Sponsor

    You can request that your broker contact the option exchange and request adding strikes. That is not an RFQ. I'm not aware of any Equity/option software today that sends RFQs and if they did, it would enter an option dark pool and get responses from participates. I know NITE before they went out and were bought by VIRTU had that. You can't trade an option strike that does not exist. I'm not sure what the rules are today for Option Flex orders, but I'm not sure if you can create a strike. Maybe. You can check their rules on the CBOE website.

     
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  3. ajacobson

    ajacobson

    Flex options with a big caveat

    The FLEX Options RFQ Process
    When an investor decides to initiate a FLEX trade, after determining the contract terms for the trade, they will subsequently reach out to their broker with the terms. The broker then seeks a quote by submitting a request for quote (RFQ) to the exchanges. The RFQ includes the required details such as the underlying asset, option type (call, put, or both), settlement type, expiration date, strike price, exercise style, and deliverable.
    The RFQ may solicit a two-sided quote or request either a bid or an offer. After receiving the quote, the investor can execute a trade based on the provided quote or engage in negotiations to reach a mutually acceptable price. Because of this process, investors should be aware that the market for FLEX options will likely be less liquid than the market for standard options.

    The caveat is that your broker views you as having liquidity to fund it and they view you as sincere. They generally don't want to submit lots of RFQs that never get done.

    https://www.optionseducation.org/news/the-basics-of-flex-options
     
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  4. Quanto

    Quanto

    All I want is just getting a very normal strike being added to the chain table, since it's missing.
    How is the procedure for this?
    This is different from FLEX options.